Denver Broncos second-round draft pick Dalton Risner is eager to win a starting job on the offensive line — regardless of his position.
“Wherever coach wants me at, whether that is [Mike] Munchak, Coach [Vic] Fangio, wherever they want me that is where I am going to play,” Risner said during an introductory press conference on April 27. “Obviously, I’m not going to come in somewhere having the intention of being a backup, I would like to come in and have an immediate impact. Wherever that position is, I am going to come in and work my ass off.”
Risner has experience playing offensive tackle, offensive guard and center. His versatility and aggressiveness should help him win — and keep — a starting position.
“I just take pride in playing with an edge,” Risner said. “That is something that every time I am out there on the field, I am not out there to make any friends. I am out there to play this game of football, and it is a job, especially now being a professional athlete. Finishing guys on the ground, that is what offensive line is all about.
“I think we’ve kind of strayed from that, but old school football offensive line is about getting your hands on someone and driving them and finishing them on the ground and I take a lot of pride in that.”
If the Broncos move Connor McGovern from guard to center to replace Matt Paradis, Risner will likely be the favorite to win the right guard spot during training camp. Denver will begin camp in mid-July.
